Type-bar for type-writers.



No. 736,887. j PATENTED AUG. 18, 1:903.

J. A. SMITH.

TYPE BAR FOR TYPE WRITERS.

- arrpmuxon rum) D30. 27. 1901.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

TYPE-BAR FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,887, dated August 18, 1903.

Original application filed May 14, 1901, Serial No- 60,195. Divided and this application filed December 27,1901. Serial No. 87,418. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ALFRED SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport,in the county of Fairfield andState of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type Bars for Type- Writers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in type-bars for type-writers, and the present ap plioation is a divisional part of application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 60,195, filed by me May 14, 1901.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for giving a more uniform stroke to the type-bar and for affording a yielding or cushioning action to the key-lever and type-bar, which means consists in a spiral or extensible link which connects the typebars and key-levers together and in this manner relieving and doing away with the inertia resulting from constructions in ordinary use.

Further objects are to provide means for facilitating the dismantling of parts of the machine-as, for example, the removal of a type-bar independently of the others, as provision is made in my present invention for doing this by simply unhooking the spring or extensible link and the return-spring, after which the bar can be slid from its socket.

Further objects are to provide for the ad; justment of alinement without requiring a skilled workman to readjust all the type-bars, to provide means for easily renewing the bearings of the type-bars, and provide novel mechanism for regulating the tension and for guiding the type-bars, so as to prevent interference between them.

With the foregoing objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in side elevation of a portion of a typewriter, showing my improved type-bar and connected mechanism attached, with parts brokenaway'; and Figs. 2 and 3 are details.

A indicates a type-bed, preferably made in two sections and secured to the sides of the machine. This bed has a series of grooves I) Z) out thereinin alinement in the two sections, one for each type-bar, to form guides for the latter as they swing up and down and to insure the bars dropping out of the path of one another as-fast as they are released.

Cylindrical sockets c c are formed at points near the inner end of each of these grooves b, and in the lower ends of the cylindrical sockets cup shaped bearings J are screwed. These bearings are made of the hardest steel (at their inner ends at least) and are removably screwed into place, they having cupshaped sockets at their upper ends.

C C are the type-bars. These are preferably made of spring-sleel of suitable thickness to fit and swing freely in and out of the grooves 19 b, and their width is such that they are prevented from turning ortwisting in the grooves. As the grooves are of greater length than the swing of the type-bars, they always afford a guiding means for the type-bar from the beginning of its movement to the end thereof. On its lower end each type-bar is provided with a ball-bearing 0', adapted. to be slipped down through the cylindrical socket c, bored in the type-bed to receive it, and to rest upon the cup shaped seat or socket formed in the upper or inner end of the screw-bearing J, thereby forming a species of ball-and-socket joint for the type-bar. An arm 0" extends forward from each typebar and a lug c rearward. Links I extend downward from each of these forwardly-projecting arms 0'. These links are extensible and preferably in the form of spiral springs of sufficient tension to swing the type bar and cause the imprint of the type thereon upon the paper. with a key-lever L, so that as the lever is depressed the motion is transmitted through the extensible link to .the key-bar. In this way it is manifest that the key-bars are operated with uniformity regardless of the stroke upon the key, as the depression of the key through the key-lever gives tension to the link, which in turn vibrates the type-bar. Thus motion is communicated through the link, and the function of that link is to absorb the motion and prevent too sudden and severe a thrust of the type'bar, which would result from a more direct and less yielding Each link is connected means of connection or communication of power between the two. As a convenient means for returning the type-bar to its normal position drawback-springs K are employed, the latter extending from the lugs c to some stationary partas, for instance, a rod 0 extending across from side to side of the machine. When it is desired to remove one of these type-bars, it is simply necessary to unhook the springs I and K therefrom and slide it out through the cylindrical sockets o, and to insert one the reverse only is necessary. To adjust the alinement or compensate for wear, a slight turn may be given to the cup-shaped bearing J without necessitating the removalof the type-bar. In this manner the adjustment, alinement, and renewal'of parts is rendered easy and convenient and can be done by a person having ordinary skill without the necessityofemployingamechanic or one skilled in the manufacture of typewriters to make these slight alternations. Each type-bar may carry one or more charactors, as the case may be, and in the present instance two only are shown.

It is evident that slight changes might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not Wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a type-bed having guide-grooves therein and provided with cylindrical sockets, of bearings adjustably secured in the lower ends of these sockets and type bars having rounded heads thereon adapted to turn in said bearings.

2. The combination with atype-bed having for retaining each type-bar yieldingly upon its bearing.

4. The combination with a type-bed having cylindrical sockets and grooves, of type-bars having ball-bearings on their lower ends.

adapted to be inserted down through the sockets, said type-bars being narrower than the grooves and guided thereby, an adjustable bearing for each ball, each type-bar havinga forwardly-projecting arm and a rearwardlyprojecting lug and springs connecting said arms and lugs, with parts of the machine.

5. In a type-writer, the combination with a type-bed and type-bar, of two yielding devices connected with the type-bar,one on each side of its pivot, one of said devices extending to a movable partof the machine and the other to a fixed part, and means for adjusting the pivotal support of said bar.

6. The combination with a type-bed, of a type-bar, an adjustable bearing therefor, and springs connected with the bar on each side of its bearing for retaining the bar yieldingly upon the adjustable bearing.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN ALFRED SMITH.

Witnesses:

JOHN AXEL EDGREN, ALFRED J oHNsoN. 

